Minister Jacek Czaputowicz visits Riga
11.08.2020
“My visit here on the occasion of the centenary of signing the peace treaty between Latvia and Russia in 1920 confirms close ties between Warsaw and Riga. We want to share the most important moments of our history,” highlighted the chief of Polish diplomacy during his visit to Latvia.
Minister Czaputowicz went on a one-day visit to Riga at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs to take part in the events to mark the 100th anniversary of the Peace Treaty between Latvia and Russia.
“The end of the First World War brought independence to both our countries. However, only a few months later, both Poland and Latvia had to face up to the expansion of Soviet Russia,” emphasised the Polish minister. Jacek Czaputowicz reminded that in January 1920 Poland and Latvia launched a combat action codenamed “Winter,” also known as the “Latgale Campaign.” Finally, after the Poles liberated the city of Daugavpils, the Soviets were pushed outside Latvia’s ethnographic borders.
Minister Czaputowicz also took part in a debate at the Riga Castle on the occasion of the centenary of the conclusion of the Peace Treaty between Latvia and Russia. “The year 1920 was victorious for both Poland and Latvia,” said the chief of Polish diplomacy. The minister stressed that Warsaw and Riga share similar traditions and the same values. As part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence, a Polish armoured contingent stations in Latvia. “Poles and Latvians know that they can count on each other,” he added.
The chief of the Polish MFA met with foreign ministers of Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. The diplomats discussed security issues, European policy and challenges connected with the COVID-19 pandemic. They also spoke about the present situation in Belarus in the context of the presidential elections. Additionally, the officials talked about the Eastern Partnership. “In these turbulent times we should not forget about our Eastern partners,” said Minister Czaputowicz. “We want the topic of cooperation with our Eastern partners to remain high on the EU agenda. We support an ambitious future of the Eastern Partnership policy and its most advanced partner countries,” he added.
During the visit, Minister Czaputowicz also held bilateral talks with his Latvian counterpart, Edgars Rinkēvičs. The meeting focused on security issues, economic cooperation, and joint activities within the EU and NATO. Minister Czaputowicz mentioned that next year Poland and Latvia will celebrate the centenary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
MFA Press Office
Photo: Tymon Markowski/MFA